The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photographs
What’s inside...
The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photographs is a book by Chana Stiefel that narrates the inspiring journey of Yaffa Eliach, a Holocaust survivor. The book details Eliach's experiences during World War II, including her time in concentration camps and her eventual return to her hometown in Eastern Europe. There, she worked tirelessly to rebuild and preserve the community's history and culture through stories and photographs. The book showcases a collection of these photographs and narratives, emphasizing the resilience of Eliach and her community in overcoming tragedy and loss. Through her efforts, Eliach established a living memorial to Holocaust victims and a testament to human hope and perseverance. The book serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving historical and cultural heritage.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What emotions did you feel while learning about Yaffa Eliach's journey and the stories of her town?
Why do you think it was important for Yaffa to rebuild her town through stories and photographs?
How do you think sharing stories of the past can help us in the present and future?
Can you think of a story from our family that you'd like to preserve like Yaffa did? Why is it special?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing a personal story from your past to set a reflective mood. Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings openly, without fear of judgement. Connect the stories in the book to similar events or stories within your own family or community to make the themes more relatable. Highlight the importance of every individual’s story and discuss the impact of preserving history through storytelling.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of storytelling in preserving history
Explanation: Through Yaffa Eliach's efforts to rebuild her town through stories and photographs, the book illustrates the power of storytelling in keeping the past alive.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to preserve their own family histories and cultural legacies by collecting stories and memories from their elders, reinforcing their connection to their heritage.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Yaffa Eliach's journey of rebuilding her town’s history, despite the immense loss she faced, exemplifies resilience.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that they can overcome challenges and hardships through perseverance and dedication, applicable when they face personal setbacks or failures.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding diverse perspectives
Explanation: The book exposes readers to the experiences and emotions of the townspeople through personal stories, broadening the reader's perspective.
Real-World Application: Children learn to empathize with others' feelings and situations, which is crucial in building respectful and compassionate relationships.
Example Lesson: The value of community and collaboration
Explanation: The project of restoring the town’s memory required community effort and collaboration, demonstrating the strength of working together.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to participate in community projects and learn the importance of teamwork in achieving common goals.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and inquiry
Explanation: As readers engage with the personal stories and historical context provided in the book, they are invited to think critically about historical events and their impacts.
Real-World Application: This skill can be applied in a child's academic life, encouraging them to question and analyze information critically.